There are many different online advertising formats, including banners, ads that look like website content, and video ads. Banner ads are like billboards of the offline world; they are traditional and effective methods of advertising that most people expect to see. Ads disguised as website content can be misleading, especially for people unfamiliar with the Internet. Compared to many other online advertising formats, video adverts are relatively new. In addition, pop-up ads and interstitial ads are common online advertising formats.
Banner ads are particularly common, but placement matters to advertisers and potential customers. Sometimes the ads are put next to the logo of the website, which does not interfere with the rest of the page’s content. The drawback of placing the logo here is that the website’s logo is not the center of attention; instead, the ad demands the viewer’s attention. Plain banner ads are one of the less obtrusive online advertising formats.
Ads that look like content are among the most common online advertising formats. They are designed to match the layout of the website so viewers will interact with the ad and accidentally leave the original website. These ads are popular because their deceptive tactics can lead to a larger mailing list or purchase for the advertiser.
Video advertisements have taken the place of some banner ads. These advertisements are difficult to ignore because the movement is quick to catch the eye; plus, the video usually has audio. Some advertisers make the video hard to pause or exit, making website visitors view or hear the ad until its end.
Pop-ups are advertisements that usually appear in a separate window. A website might have one or more pop-ups, each advertising a different product or service. This kind of online advertising can be minimized with a pop-up blocker, but not all pop-ups are blockable. Some studies show that website viewers consider pop-up advertisements as one of the most annoying type of online advertising formats.
Also known as in-between ads, intersitital advertisements interrupt the viewing of a website to introduce a product, service, or another website. These ads take over the entire page, and the viewer is usually asked to click "next” to continue doing what he or she came for. Sometimes this kind of ad includes videos and does not give the viewer an option to skip it. Like most ads, intersitital advertisements can be an unwelcome sight if not cleverly integrated.
